- #53 of 149
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Re: air conditioning design weaknees for Honda Element [djm2]
by gunga64
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Oct 12, 2006 (8:45 am)
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Replying to: djm2 (Jul 30, 2006 6:08 pm)
My friend has a 2005 Durango and supposedly a rock hit his
condensor and broke his AC. Dodge also used the same excuse that they weren't responsible. I for one would like to know the scientific way they prove the damage came from outside the condenser and not just a week weld or low spot in the condensor itself. I would like the dealership/Manufactor prove to me that it was not a defect. Get the part after the repair.
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- #54 of 149
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Re: air conditioning design weaknees for Honda Element [gunga64]
by cwalti
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Oct 12, 2006 (11:30 am)
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Replying to: gunga64 (Oct 12, 2006 8:45 am)
This is actually quite simple. I have been in the tooling business (Large Aircraft) for 20+ years. All I need to see is the damaged part and I will be able to tell you with great accuracy how this damage has come about. External impact damage is VERY different from faulty weld failure, home made modifications are easy to spot, and abuse and neglect can also easily be recognized. I would be surprised if a any external impact would be covered by anyone.... A seasoned and sincere pro cannot be fooled by a half baked amateur...
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- #55 of 149
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Re: air conditioning design weaknees for Honda Element [zabeth]
by electricdesign
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Oct 16, 2006 (7:00 pm)
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Replying to: zabeth (Jul 31, 2006 7:03 am)
Many of you have responded by discussing adding some kind of Grill or Guard in front of the Condenser to protect the Condenser, but all of you are skirting around the REAL problem. The problem is NOT the lack of PROTECTION on the CONDENSER. The REAL problem is the WEAKNESS of the condenser! Look at all these other cars on the road, with condenser failures being very rare, and you see all kinds of bugs, sticks and whatever stuck in them. WHY? Because they are made STRONGER! For a Problem to exist, the Tubing of the Condenser must be damaged or penetrated to cause it to leak and fail. The cooling fins are around the tubing for heat transfer, AND they are also THICK enough to provide protection to the tubing. If something hits the fins, they should extend out far enough in front of the tubing so that objects would strike the fins, and the fins will bend, absorbing and spreading the impact force so the tubing does not get damaged. The fins act like a cushion around the Tubing, if the fins are LARGE ENOUGH. Just go look at the condensers on ALL the OTHER cars out on the highway, check them at the Interstate rest stops to see all the big bugs and objects that get stuck it them and they still work fine. THIS is what I'm talking about, the Honda Condenser is made too weak and flimsy, and the REAL PROBLEM is that Honda should have made the condenser STRONGER. Trying to protect the condenser now is only an afterthought of BAD DESIGN! You should not have to be rigging up something on the front of your vehicle to protect the condenser, trying to fix Hondas mistake! You need to address the SOURCE of the problem. Complain Bitterly to Honda about their weak Condensers and also their lousey compressors on the CR-V's. Remember, the squeaky wheel gets the grease.
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- #56 of 149
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Re: air conditioning design weaknees for Honda Element [electricdesign]
by cwalti
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Oct 17, 2006 (1:27 am)
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Replying to: electricdesign (Oct 16, 2006 7:00 pm)
I think you did something bad for lunch today. I have had leaaky heat exchangers in many other cars. A Pontiac Sunbird blew the radiator for no reason at all, and a linc conti blew EVERYTHING for no reason at all. I habd a radiator explode on an '82 Rabbit diesel truck for no reason at all... Carp just happens. I have owned Hondas since 1978 and NEVER had a problem with a heat exchanger of any kind. I currently own three Hondas from a 1991 Accord to a 1999 Ody to a 2005 CR-V and so far I have had nothing but bliss!!!! I would NEVER trade any of them for a ford EVER! The Conti cured me of any desires towars any fords...
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- #57 of 149
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Shift Lock release and Brake pedal switch??? 2003
by rosetv
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Oct 19, 2006 (8:53 am)
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Hello, I am having a problem with my shift lock release on my 2003 Element. I called the dealership and they said that brake pedal switch gets stuck sometimes and I need to reset it to get the shift lock release to stop freezing up. Where the heck is this brake pedal switch? I have looked through the manual and online. Can't find anything on it. The dealership says it's on the brake pedal but I can't find it. Anybody have any ideas? Thanks. 
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- #58 of 149
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Also the transmission seems to be slipping
by rosetv
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Oct 19, 2006 (8:55 am)
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My transmission seems to be slipping and this has coincided with the shift lock release. Are they related?
Thank you!
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- #59 of 149
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Re: air conditioning design weaknees for Honda Element [gonzo3165]
by keele
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Oct 26, 2006 (7:15 am)
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Replying to: gonzo3165 (Jul 28, 2006 4:08 pm)
Check this site out
http://www.cloud-rider.com/screens_home.php
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- #60 of 149
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Re: air conditioning design weaknees for Honda Element [cwalti]
by electricdesign
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Oct 29, 2006 (7:34 pm)
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Replying to: cwalti (Oct 17, 2006 1:27 am)
I was not talking about all those other 'heat Exchangers' that you mentioned in your response, such as radiators. I was addressing ONLY the AIR CONDITIONING CONDENSER COIL that is located in FRONT of the radiator. Anything that hits the front of the vehicle can hit the condenser. This is the same setup that all the other car use. I simply stated that the condenser should be made strong enough to withstand the abuse that it is likely to recieve, like all the other cars out on the road. I've never had a Ford or Chevrolet or a Chrysler ever have a leaking air conditioning condenser, and I've drove many of them for many years all over the country. Judging by all these previous posts, this possiblity of the air conditioning condenser leaking caused of damage from an object hitting it from the front, seem rather high. I just simply believe that the condenser should be made strong enough to withstand the abuse that it is likely to recieve, no more, no less.
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- #61 of 149
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Honda Element Windshield Washer Pump Problems
by chilliwilly
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Nov 03, 2006 (9:17 am)
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My Windshield Washer Pump does not appear to be working. When I pull on the washer trigger, I don't even hear the motor. It works for the rear windshield, so I don't think the motor is a problem. Is there a relay that I can check. For some reason, Chilton and Haynes quit making manuals for foreign vehicles. I just know that this is a simple problem, and I don't want to spend the hundreds on diagnostics at a dealership. With winter coming, I'm going to need my washer soon.
Thanks in advance for any help in this.
Wayne
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- #62 of 149
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Re: Honda Element Windshield Washer Pump Problems [chilliwilly]
by cwalti
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Nov 03, 2006 (9:42 am)
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Replying to: chilliwilly (Nov 03, 2006 9:17 am)
I always buy the OEM manual for all my cars. Go to the bottom of this page, and you will find such a manual. It contains MORE information than you will need in 50 years. It is complete, comprehensive and specific to your vehicle... You might find it for less money too, I just poked at the first listing... Chiltons blow big time, I never had any luck with those rags...
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